CHARLOTTETOWN - The Island Storm announced Monday the hiring of Tim Kendrick as the club’s new head coach. Kendrick becomes the Storm’s second coach, joining the team after a successful six-year run as the bench boss of the UPEI Panthers Men’s Basketball team. Kendrick’s contract runs through the 2017-18 season.

“After a very thorough search, we’re pleased to welcome Tim to the Island Storm and are excited to get to work,” said Brett Poirier, the team’s Vice President. “Tim has nearly 30 years of coaching experience from the high school, provincial, and collegiate level here in Canada and in that time he’s made some valuable connections that will help our team grow.”

Kendrick began his coaching career at Horton High School in his hometown of Wolfville, NS., where he led the school to 16 divisional titles and more than 700 wins over 22 years.

Kendrick accepted the position as head coach of the UPEI Panthers in 2011, revitalizing the school’s basketball program en route to a 70-50 regular season record during his tenure. While at UPEI, Kendrick worked closely with Storm forward Brad States and Tyler Scott, the Storm’s 2016 first-round pick in the All-Canadian Draft.

His most memorable moment at the university came just last year when he coached the Panthers to the AUS Finals and was just two points away from making the CIS Championship.

With today’s announcement, Kendrick will be moving up to the pro ranks for the first time in his career.

"I am thrilled, honoured, and humbled to be named the head coach of the Island Storm,” he said. “My family and I appreciate living in Charlottetown and on this great island, and all of the support and friendship that we have received from so many fine people since moving here in 2011.”

Kendrick has already put his coaching duties to work, recruiting and meeting with potential players as the season gets set to tip off on Nov. 18. In addition to being competitive on the court, he also wants to ensure fans that they will see lots of the Storm this coming year.

“I am so happy and excited that I will now be able to be part of all the great things they do. I know that I will really enjoy working with everyone in our island community,” said Kendrick.

As the team embarks on its seventh season, Poirier says this is the start of a new era for the organization.

“I want to personally thank all of our fans and corporate partners for their patience this offseason as we searched for our new coach. I’m extremely confident that supporters and players alike will be pleased with the product, on and off the court.”

Kendrick, 54, attended Cape Breton University where he played on the men’s basketball team and also studied at Nova Scotia’s Teachers College. He and his wife, Mary, have three children, Jennifer, 31, Joe, 28, and Jake, 24.

Storm season tickets are now on sale at the Eastlink Centre box office. For pricing and more info, please click here.